How to Create Perfect Book Covers Every Time
When I first started creating books, making neat and well finished covers was a challenge. I got better with a lot of practice and I made a video sharing some of the things I’ve learned along the way:
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Make sure the board and covering materials are square and grained correctly
- Cut the covering materials to the right size
- Glue the papers, not the board, in a star pattern
- Miter the corners using a scrap of the same book board
- Use a bone folder to get rid of air bubbles
Here are some sources for book board in the USA and if you live outside the US, feel free to share your favorite source in the comments below.
Hollanders (my go to boards are the Standard Book Board .087 and Davey Board .098
Talas and Colophon Book Arts Supply
May 15, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
Thank you, your demo is so helpful.
May 18, 2018 @ 5:32 am
Thank you Judy!
May 24, 2018 @ 7:57 pm
Fabulous video. Thank you for all the great tips, from glueing the pages, cutting the corners to finding the grain of the paper. So much information. Loved it. Thank you for sharing
June 13, 2018 @ 4:16 pm
Thanks so much Olga!
June 5, 2019 @ 11:20 am
An interesting video. Thanks for sharing it. In my classes I always instruct my students to place the glue on the smallest surface, hence they place the flue on the board, not the paper and it works quite well. We each find our own way, often, that suits our own style the best. There are plenty of right ways to make beautiful books. I also instruct them to use two thicknesses of board when measuring for mitered edges. Whatever works!
June 13, 2020 @ 1:22 pm
Wonderful video. This was so helpful! I’ve struggled with making my corners look professional. My next book is going to look so much better!
June 17, 2020 @ 9:31 am
Yeah = that’s great news!